DuVernay received the award for her second feature film, "Middle of Nowhere," which tells the story of a young woman who struggles to maintain her identity while her husband serves an eight-year prison sentence. The film, which stars Emayatzy Corinealdi and Omari Hardwick, premiered at Sundance last week and received high acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

A very thrilled DuVernay rejoiced in a photo she tweeted of herself raising a glass with a fellow partygoer. She also wrote this afternoon, "Home and happy! Thanks to everyone for the beautiful words and warm wishes. The kindness is absolutely breathtaking."

"Middle of Nowhere" is set to be distributed by Participant Media in partnership with DuVernay's African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM) and will be released in theaters later this year.